Chaudhuri has vast experience with Department of the Interior.
By The American Bazaar Staff
WASHINGTON, DC: President Barack Obama has nominated Jonodev Osceola Chaudhuri for the post of Chairman, National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC), Department of the Interior.
Chaudhuri is currently Vice Chairman and Associate Commissioner of the NIGC, positions he has held since 2013. He has also served as Acting Chairman of the NIGC from October 2013 to April 2014.
In announcing the appointment of Chaudhuri and other individuals for various other posts in the administration, Obama said in a statement: “I am grateful that these impressive individuals have chosen to dedicate their talents to serving the American people at this important time for our country. I look forward to working with them in the months and years ahead.”
Prior to joining the NIGC, Chaudhuri was Senior Counselor to the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs at the Department of the Interior from 2012 to 2013. He served as an Associate Judge on the Puyallup Tribe of Nations Court from 2011 to 2012, an Appellate Judge on the San Manuel Mission Band of Indians Appeals Court from 2009 to 2012, and an Appellate Judge on the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Supreme Court from 2006 to 2012.
Previously, he served as a Deputy Public Defender in the Maricopa County Public Defender’s Office from 2010 to 2011 and as Managing Attorney at the Chaudhuri Law Office, P.L.L.C. from 2006 to 2010.
Chaudhuri also held Appellate Judge appointments on the Gila River Indian Community Court of Appeals from 2008 to 2010 and on the Yavapai-Apache Nation Court of Appeals from 2005 to 2009. From 2001 to 2006, he served as an Associate at Snell & Wilmer, L.L.P. Prior to this, he served as a judicial clerk for the Honorable Noel Fidel of the Arizona Court of Appeals from 2000 to 2001 and a Judicial Clerk for the Honorable James Ackerman of the Arizona Court of Appeals from 1999 to 2000.
Chaudhuri received a B.A. from Dartmouth College and a J.D. from Cornell Law School.